Dogs and vehicle travel is not always easy for a dog

 It's sounds like fun taking your dog on an adventure in the car. The dog easily jumps in the car eager to see where their owner is taking them. This is not always true, not all dogs like the car or the travel. Anything could trigger a dog behavior for not liking the car. Past Traumas, Travel sickness, not feeling secure.

If we think of a dogs first trip in the car it is usual being taken from the only home they know and you also could be taking a dog away from the dogs parents. It is a very emotional time in a dogs life to adjust to all these new things. Dogs also know that sometimes they go to the vets and that can cause nervousness. When we get into a car we know where we are going so we are not worried about the unknown. A dog has no idea where they are going. Now the question is how do we solve this problem of a dog afraid of the car.

Objects and smells can easily train a dog to it's destination. You want to make travel a pleasant time and an understanding that the car is not going to be a negative experience. Lets start by associating a tennis ball with going to the park. You would play with the dog outside and near the car with the ball. Then once the dog is relaxed and knowing the ball is associated with going to the park. The dog will easily start to recognize a routine. A dog will recognize words. You could say "I have your tennis ball lets go to the park"

Let's say your taking your dog to the beach. You might associate the beach with grabbing a beach towel. The dog begin to understand where they are going and it will no longer be the unknown. It's just like if your dog gets picked up for doggy daycare, they associate the bus or vehicle that is taking them. They automatically know where they are going. They get excited to go see their doggy friends and the mind is distracted as they are getting into a vehicle. Dogs often react to words like, "We are going to Nana's and grandpas house."You can also say "Grab your toy we are going to a friends house." Dogs recognize words and commands and how you say them. They also can learn signs without words. This is all part of how you want to train your dog for travel.

You want to associate the car with fun. You can play in the car around the car, give treats to your dog. Your dogs needs to not think of the car as a negative experience. Sit in the car and don't go anywhere. Get the dog use to the car. It's just like a dog new doggy bed. They smell it, hit it with their paws and they either plop down and get comfortable or they lay beside it. But over time they know that is their bed and a place they find comfort. It will be the same as a car. They will over time realize the car is a safe space. In fact your dog might get to comfortable and not want to get out of the car. It's all about getting the dog to understand the car is a safe place and an adventure. If a dog new they were getting a pup cup every time they get in the car, they would jump right in. You can of course reward your dog with treats. If the dog jumps in the car and it calm. You can give a treat, but only if the dog is calm, you do not want to reward a panic behavior. It will cause the dog to get confused.

Some dogs struggle with motion sickness. It's difficult for a dog to adjust to unnatural movement. Dogs bark and pant excessively. Traveling sickness can be making the dog restless. Dogs can get over this over time. The dog could have a metal block getting in the car because the dog knows it might get sick. Now the dog is fearful of the car. 

Lets talk about preventing car sickness. You want a dog to feel secure in the seat, so slippery surfaces might make the dog slip and not feel secure. Dogs can quickly overheat in the car, so you always want to stop and give your dog a drink of water. 

Safety reason it's a great idea to train your dog to wait and not jump out of the car without your command. Train the dog to stay until it is safe to exit the car.  Praise your dog for waiting calmly and you can also give your dog a treat. Your dog will learn that it is not safe to exit the car. 

Dogs are different when it comes to taking an adventure in a car. If your dog loves the car, gets nervous in the car, doesn't want to get out of the car. It takes patience, commitment, and understanding to train a dog. It's important to continue the training until the dog fully understands the car. A dog afraid of the car has a metal block and can't process their is an exciting adventure. Once the dog understand the car and begins to get comfortable then the adventure begins.

You are the dogs leader and how you react is often how the dog responds. Dogs can have high anxiety getting into a car, they may shake. As a dog owner of course your going to feel upset that your dog is in a panic. This is where you need to stay calm to reassure the dog that everything is going to be ok. The dog is going on an unknown journey.